Forrester: Green IT investment stable despite downturn

Forrester: Green IT investment stable despite downturn

17th Dec 09:44

The number of firms accelerating their green IT initiatives is double that of those scaling back such projects, according to a survey by Forrester Research.

The report, called 'A slowing economy won't slow down corporate green IT initiatives', found that 10 percent of firms are increasing their green IT expenditure, and 38 percent of firms are maintaining the level of expenditure. But five percent are cutting green spending, and 47 percent expressed uncertainty over the future.

Some 67 percent said the main motivation for pursuing a green agenda was reducing energy bills, up from 55 percent in the same survey one year ago. Regulation prompted 16 percent of businesses to implement greener systems, and nearly a third of companies said they wanted to align IT with business-wide green plans.

Some 52 percent of businesses had a green IT action plan, up from 40 percent last year. One thousand firms were interviewed in October for the survey, of which a third were in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Technology buyers were also more aware of manufacturers' green credentials, the survey said. Six in 10 businesses considered factors such as recycling and greener manufacturing when buying technology.

Christopher Mines, the author of the report, said: "Green IT is not a fad or a bubble. ... The slow-but-steady increase in awareness and activity bodes well in our view for continued growth in demand for greener IT products and services."

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